Used needles, Covid-19 test containers found after raid on 2 factories

 

The raids on the factories followed complaints of odour pollution in Pinang Tunggal, Sungai Petani. (JAS pic)

ALOR SETAR: The Kedah environment department (DoE) today raided two factories suspected of operating illegally and causing odour pollution in Pinang Tunggal, Sungai Petani.

Kedah DoE director Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab said the raids were conducted at an unlicensed timber factory and another factory used for storing plastic and other waste at 11am.

“The raids were carried out after we received numerous public complaints about environmental pollution, especially odour nuisance, when plastic waste is processed without controlled equipment.

“Upon further inspection, materials suspected to be clinical waste were also found. This included used Covid-19 screening test containers, syringes, gloves and needles that had been shredded and washed for recycling purposes,” she said in a statement here today.

She said the effluents from the waste disposal were then channelled to retention ponds and untreated waste was discharged into monsoon drains and then into Sungai Muda, which is a source of water for Kedah and Penang.

According to Sharifah, the illegal plastic waste processing and clinical waste factory is believed to be run by Chinese nationals.

Further investigations are under way to determine whether the waste was from the region or had been imported.

Meanwhile, she said a group of foreign workers tried to flee into nearby bushes during the raid.

“The DoE has contacted the immigration department to check on some workers who were detained,” she said. - FMT